R and I went up to olive country. As soon as we arrived in the Cafe del Parque in Alcala la Real, I felt a deep peace.. I realise this might be the place I want to settle one day. I deeply love Las Alpujarras and the sublime beauty, but there’s an undercurrent with a certain aspect that doesn’t sit well with me, and I felt more in tune with the honesty and integrity of the way of life in and around Alcala.
We went to the Nacimiento del Rio San Juan, (the source of the river.) Very peaceful and the water was deliciously cold. We listened to Vicente Amigo as we wound around the olive mountain roads.
Then on to dear friends’ glorious cortijo retreat in Sabariego where S made us sangria with an array of different alcohols, fruit and cinnamon sticks. We watched flamenco and ate paella. Then much later, back to Tijola which took hours. More winding and precipitous roads beyond midnight.
I realise my love affair with Andalucia continues, but I’m not ready to live here yet. I’m not ready to slow down to the pace of life necessary to cope with the heat. There’s so much painting I want to do and I want to paint outside but the heat makes it prohibitive. I’ll have plenty to draw from with my photographs when I get home. At least I’ve painted a couple of paintings while here..but I’ve only been able to walk in the mountains in the early mornings..
I miss the liveliness and music of my home town of Hastings, but Andalucia.. I’ll be back soon
